U.S. patent application number 15/845969 was filed with the patent office on 2019-06-20 for wireless vehicle charging.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Ali Hassani, Thomas Joseph Hermann, John Robert Van Wiemeersch.
Application Number | 20190184841 15/845969 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66674956 |
Filed Date | 2019-06-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190184841 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Wiemeersch; John Robert ;
et al. |
June 20, 2019 |
WIRELESS VEHICLE CHARGING
Abstract
A wireless charging system for a vehicle is described, as well
as methods of using the system. The system may include a computer
programmed with instructions stored in memory and executable by a
processor, and a radar device controlled by the computer. One
method includes: aligning a reception coil on a vehicle with a
charging coil using ground penetrating radar data; and then
receiving inductive charge at the reception coil.
Inventors: |
Van Wiemeersch; John Robert;
(Novi, MI) ; Hermann; Thomas Joseph; (Troy,
MI) ; Hassani; Ali; (Ann Arbor, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ford Global Technologies,
LLC
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
66674956 |
Appl. No.: |
15/845969 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60L 2240/62 20130101;
B60L 53/12 20190201; G01S 13/885 20130101; B60L 53/305 20190201;
B60L 53/66 20190201; B60L 53/38 20190201; B60L 53/39 20190201; B60L
2260/32 20130101; B60L 2250/16 20130101; B60L 53/36 20190201 |
International
Class: |
B60L 11/18 20060101
B60L011/18; G01S 13/88 20060101 G01S013/88 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: determining when a vehicle is within a
geofence region that includes a charging coil embedded within a
roadway; and aligning a reception coil on the vehicle with the
charging coil using ground penetrating radar data.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, via a
human machine interface (HMI) device, an indication from a user
prior to determining and aligning.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the indication is based on
roadway pressure sensor data.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the indication is based on
wireless signal strength data, angle of arrival data, or time of
flight data.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining further comprises
displaying an image of the vehicle and a charging station on a
human machine interface (HMI) device.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein displaying further comprises
transitioning from a split-screen mode to a full-screen mode as the
vehicle moves into the region.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging coil is in an
inactive state during aligning.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging a battery of
the vehicle via the reception coil.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, when a threshold
level of charge is received, transmitting a message, to a
controller of the charging coil, to terminate charging.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein aligning further comprises
autonomously controlling the vehicle using dead reckoning.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein aligning further comprises
determining whether an axis of a reception coil on the vehicle is
within a threshold distance of a centroid of the charging coil.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein aligning further comprises
increasing a radar signal frequency as the vehicle approaches the
charging coil.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein during the aligning, the vehicle
is in a fully-autonomous mode.
14. A method, comprising: aligning a reception coil on a vehicle
with a charging coil using ground penetrating radar data; and then,
receiving inductive charge at the reception coil.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the charging coil is in an
inactive state during aligning.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein aligning further comprises
autonomously controlling the vehicle using dead reckoning.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein aligning further comprises
determining whether an axis of the reception coil is within a
threshold distance of a centroid of the charging coil.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein aligning further comprises
increasing a radar signal frequency as the vehicle approaches the
charging coil.
19. A system, comprising: a processor; and memory storing
instructions executable by the processor, the instructions
comprising, to: align a reception coil on a vehicle with a charging
coil using ground penetrating radar data; and then, receiving
inductive charge at the reception coil.
20. The system of claim 19, further comprising: an antenna circuit,
comprising at least one antenna, configured to transmit and receive
an ultra-wide band radio wave frequency.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Some electric vehicles may have wireless charging
technology. For example, vehicle owners may be able to wirelessly
charge their vehicles within their home garages. Setup may comprise
a transmitter pad located atop a floor in the garage, and one or
more visual indicia. The visual indicia may include markers on the
floor, markers on the walls, markers suspended from the ceiling,
etc. Further, the visual indicia may correspond with the location
of the block charger and a location of a wireless charging receiver
on an underside of the vehicle. Thus, when the user drives the
vehicle into the garage, he or she may align a feature on the
vehicle laterally and longitudinally with the visual indicia and
thereby also align the receiver with the transmitter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a geofence region within a
section of roadway, the region including a wireless charging
station.
[0003] FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle positioned within the geofence
region of FIG. 1.
[0004] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the vehicle in the
geofence region, aligned with a charging coil of the charging
station.
[0005] FIG. 4 illustrates electrical schematic views of the vehicle
and the charging station.
[0006] FIGS. 5-6 are illustrative views of a screen of a
human-machine interface (HMI) device, illustrating the vehicle
relative to the charging station.
[0007] FIGS. 7-8 are schematic views of exemplary antenna circuits
in the vehicle.
[0008] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process
of receiving a wireless charge from the charging station using
ground penetrating radar.
[0009] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an alignment between the
charging coil of the charging station and a reception coil of a
receiver in the vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] A wireless charging system for a vehicle is described.
According to one illustrative method example using the system, the
method includes: determining when a vehicle is within a geofence
region that includes a charging coil embedded within a roadway; and
aligning a reception coil on the vehicle with the transmitting
charging coil using ground penetrating radar data.
[0011] According to the at least one example set forth above,
further comprising: receiving, via a human machine interface (HMI)
device, an indication from a user prior to determining and
aligning.
[0012] According to the at least one example set forth above, the
indication is based on roadway pressure sensor data.
[0013] According to the at least one example set forth above, the
indication is based on wireless signal strength data, angle of
arrival data, or time of flight data.
[0014] According to the at least one example set forth above,
determining further comprises displaying an image of the vehicle
and a charging station on a human machine interface (HMI)
device.
[0015] According to the at least one example set forth above,
displaying further comprises transitioning from a split-screen mode
to a full-screen mode as the vehicle moves into the region.
[0016] According to the at least one example set forth above, the
charging coil is in an inactive state during aligning.
[0017] According to the at least one example set forth above,
further comprising charging a battery of the vehicle via the
reception coil.
[0018] According to the at least one example set forth above,
further comprising, when a threshold level of charge is received,
transmitting a message, to a controller of the charging coil, to
terminate charging.
[0019] According to the at least one example set forth above,
aligning further comprises autonomously controlling the vehicle
using dead reckoning.
[0020] According to the at least one example set forth above,
aligning further comprises determining whether an axis of a
reception coil on the vehicle is within a threshold distance of a
centroid of the charging coil.
[0021] According to the at least one example set forth above,
aligning further comprises increasing a radar signal frequency as
the vehicle approaches the charging coil.
[0022] According to the at least one example set forth above,
during the aligning, the vehicle is in a fully-autonomous mode.
[0023] According to another illustrative method example, a method
includes: aligning a reception coil on a vehicle with a charging
coil using ground penetrating radar data; and then receiving
inductive charge at the reception coil.
[0024] According to the at least one example set forth above, the
charging coil is in an inactive state during aligning.
[0025] According to the at least one example set forth above,
aligning further comprises autonomously controlling the vehicle
using dead reckoning.
[0026] According to the at least one example set forth above,
aligning further comprises determining whether an axis of the
reception coil is within a threshold distance of a centroid of the
charging coil.
[0027] According to the at least one example set forth above,
aligning further comprises increasing a radar signal frequency as
the vehicle approaches the charging coil.
[0028] According to another illustrative example, a system
includes: a processor; and memory storing instructions executable
by the processor, the instructions comprising, to: align a
reception coil on a vehicle with a charging coil in or on the
ground using ground penetrating radar data; and then, receiving
inductive charge at the reception coil.
[0029] According to the at least one example set forth above,
further comprising: an antenna circuit, comprising at least one
antenna, configured to transmit and receive an ultra-wide band
radio wave frequency.
[0030] According to the at least one example, a computer is
disclosed that is programmed to execute any combination of the
examples of the method(s) set forth above.
[0031] According to the at least one example, a computer program
product is disclosed that includes a computer readable medium that
stores instructions executable by a computer processor, wherein the
instructions include any combination of the examples of the
method(s) set forth above.
[0032] Turning now to the figures wherein like numerals represent
like or identical features or elements, a wireless charging system
10 is shown for a charging a vehicle 12. The system 10 includes a
charging station 14 (e.g., located in a portion of roadway 16) and
an alignment system 20 onboard the vehicle 12 (see FIGS. 1-4).
Among other things, system 20 utilizes ground penetrating radar to
assist in precision alignment of a receiver 22 onboard the vehicle
12 with a transmitter 24 of the charging station 14. In this
manner, system 20 does not require the visual identification of
above-ground objects and/or roadway markings to align a reception
coil 25 of the receiver 22 with a charging coil 26 of the
transmitter 24. Further, the charging station does not need to
waste power sending a locating beacon. Thus, as will be described
more below, the system 20 is suitable in many outdoor environmental
conditions--e.g., including scenarios wherein the above-ground
objects and/or roadway markings do not exist, the roadway markings
are worn or weathered, and/or the markings are covered with leaves,
snow, dirt or other debris, etc.
[0033] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate vehicle 12 comprising the alignment
system 20. Vehicle 12 is shown as a passenger car; however, vehicle
12 could also be a truck, sports utility vehicle (SUV),
recreational vehicle, bus, or the like that includes system 20.
Vehicle 12 may be an electric vehicle. As used herein, an electric
vehicle is any vehicle that relies primarily on electric energy for
propulsion and operation; non-limiting examples include battery
electric-vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles, and other electric vehicles variants.
[0034] Vehicle 12 may be operated in any one of a number of
autonomous modes. In at least one example, vehicle 12 may operate
as an autonomous taxi, autonomous school bus, or the like--e.g.,
operating in a fully autonomous mode (e.g., a level 5), as defined
by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) (which has defined
operation at levels 0-5). For example, at levels 0-2, a human
driver monitors or controls the majority of the driving tasks,
often with no help from the vehicle 12. For example, at level 0
("no automation"), a human driver is responsible for all vehicle
operations. At level 1 ("driver assistance"), the vehicle 12
sometimes assists with steering, acceleration, or braking, but the
driver is still responsible for the vast majority of the vehicle
control. At level 2 ("partial automation"), the vehicle 12 can
control steering, acceleration, and braking under certain
circumstances without human interaction. At levels 3-5, the vehicle
12 assumes more driving-related tasks. At level 3 ("conditional
automation"), the vehicle 12 can handle steering, acceleration, and
braking under certain circumstances, as well as monitoring of the
driving environment. Level 3 may require the driver to intervene
occasionally, however. At level 4 ("high automation"), the vehicle
12 can handle the same tasks as at level 3 but without relying on
the driver to intervene in certain driving modes. At level 5 ("full
automation"), the vehicle 12 can handle all tasks without any
driver intervention. In at least one example, vehicle 12 at least
includes computer-executed instructions that facilitate a so-called
Park Assist program, wherein using programmed instructions executed
by one or more onboard computers, vehicle 12 can park itself with
accuracy without human interaction--e.g., using dead reckoning
technology.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the alignment system 20 of vehicle 12
may comprise a wired and/or wireless communication network
connection 28 that interconnects and facilitates communication
between, among other things: a computer 30 configured to control
the receiver 22 and to control vehicle positioning relative to the
charging coil 26; a human-machine interface (HMI) device 32
suitable for users within a vehicle cabin 33, which receives user
input data and/or provides output data (related to vehicle
charging); a navigation system 34 that receives and/or processes
onboard inertial data used for dead reckoning; a radio detection
and ranging (radar) system 36 which may be used to penetrate the
ground and identify charging coil 26 therein; a telematics device
38 used to communicate with, among other things, charging station
14; and the receiver 22 used to receive a wireless charge from the
charging station 14.
[0036] Communication network connection 28 may comprise one or more
of a controller area network (CAN) bus, Ethernet, Local
Interconnect Network (LIN), a fiber optic connection, or the like
usable with any suitable communication protocol. Network connection
28 is not limited to data bus implementations; e.g., alternatively
or in combination therewith, connection 28, may comprise one or
more discrete wired or wireless connections.
[0037] Computer 30 may comprise at least one processor 42 and
memory 44. Processor 42 may be programmed to process and/or execute
digital instructions to carry out at least some of the tasks
described herein. Non-limiting examples of processor 42 include a
microprocessor, a microcontroller or controller, an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.--just to name a few. And a
few non-limiting examples of digitally-stored
instructions--storable in memory 44 and executable by processor
42--include, to: determine a trigger regarding a geofence region
for wireless charging; receive positioning data from one or more
cameras, wireless nodes, or the like; locate charging coil 26 in
the ground; identify a shape of charging coil 26; determine a
centroid of the identified shape; use ground penetrating radar data
to align vertically an axis of reception coil 25 with the centroid
of charging coil 26; use dead-reckoning instructions during the
alignment; determine whether wireless charging is complete; and
store a geotag of the location for future charging events.
Additional examples of instructions which may be used instead of
and/or in addition to these examples, as well as sequences of
instructions, are described in the one or more processes below.
[0038] Memory 44 may include any non-transitory computer usable or
readable medium, which may include one or more storage devices or
articles. Exemplary non-transitory computer usable storage devices
include conventional hard disk, solid-state memory, random-access
memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable
read-only memory (EEPROM), as well as any other volatile or
non-volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example,
optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory, and volatile
media, for example, also may include dynamic random-access memory
(DRAM). These storage devices are non-limiting examples; e.g.,
other forms of computer-readable media exist and include magnetic
media, compact disc ROM (CD-ROMs), digital video disc (DVDs), other
optical media, any suitable memory chip or cartridge, or any other
medium from which a computer can read. As discussed above, memory
44 may store one or more computer program products which may be
embodied as software, firmware, or other programming instructions
executable by the processor 42.
[0039] Human-machine interface (HMI) device 32 may include any
suitable input and/or output devices such as switches, knobs,
controls, displays, audio sources, etc.--e.g., on a vehicle
instrument panel, on a steering wheel, elsewhere in vehicle 12, or
a combination thereof. In one non-limiting example, HMI device 32
may comprise a screen 48 for displaying navigation and positioning
information pertinent to charging vehicle 12. In some examples,
screen 48 is an interactive touch screen; however, this is not
required.
[0040] Screen 48 may be segmented using hardware and/or software.
According to at least one example, screen 48 is segment-able using
software into two portions 50, 52 (e.g., a split-screen
mode)--e.g., see exemplary screenshot shown in FIG. 5. In this
example, the first portion 50 of screen 48 may be displaying a
front or rear view of the vehicle 12 (e.g., selectively switchable
by HMI device 32 and/or computer 30 based on an input received
indicating a transmission state of the vehicle being in DRIVE
(forward mode) or REVERSE, respectively)--in this instance, a rear
view screenshot is shown. The second portion 52 of screen 48 may
display--from a top view (or so-called bird's-eye perspective) of
the vehicle 12--a representation of the transmitter 24 buried
within a representative roadway, relative to a representative
position of the vehicle 12. Screen 48 may illustrate other
features, images, icons, text, etc. as well. For example, portion
50 in FIG. 5 shows projected path indicia 54 useful in assisting a
user (or computer 30) in aligning the vehicle 12 with transmitter
24.
[0041] FIG. 6 is an exemplary screenshot showing a full- or
non-split-screen mode implementation. In this example, portion 52
may be expanded (by HMI device 32 and/or computer 30) to fit an
entirety (or nearly an entirety) of screen 48. The top view could
include an overlay of the detected coil. Of course, the screenshot
illustrations of FIGS. 5-6 are merely examples and other suitable
data may be displayed in addition thereto or instead thereof.
[0042] According to one example, when vehicle 12 approaches a
threshold distance of transmitter 24, HMI device 32 (and/or
computer 30) are programmed with instructions to change or
transition the image from a split screen (e.g., FIG. 5) to a full
screen (e.g., FIG. 6). According to one example, the threshold
distance corresponds with a length of a vehicle (e.g., such as
vehicle 12). According to another example, the threshold distance
is less than a vehicle length and corresponds with a distance
between a centroid 56 of charging coil 26 (transmitter 24) and a
front end 58 of vehicle 12 (FIG. 1). According to one example, the
threshold distance corresponds with a boundary 60 of a geofence
region 62; thus, in this example, HMI device 32 (and/or computer
30) may be programmed with instructions to change the image from a
split screen (e.g., FIG. 5) to a full screen (e.g., FIG. 6) when
vehicle 12 crosses a boundary into the geofence region 62. As used
herein, a geofence region is an area of roadway 16 which includes
embedded charging coil 26. In at least some examples, data received
from the charging station 14 may assist computer 30 in the lateral
and longitudinal alignment of the vehicle 12 within the geofence
region 62, and thus the alignment of the reception coil 25
(receiver 22) to charging coil 26 (transmitter 24).
[0043] Geofence region 62 includes one or more boundaries defining
an enclosed area (e.g., it may be elliptical, rectangular, or have
any other suitable shape). In some examples, the geofence region 62
may be less than or equal to 1200 square feet (e.g., 240 inches by
720 inches). Also, as used herein, the term roadway means an area
of earth beneath the vehicle 12 or an area of a structure between
the vehicle 12 and earth, beneath the vehicle 12. Thus, roadway may
comprise dirt, grass, asphalt, concrete, gravel, wood planks,
brick, etc. Additional aspects of geofence region 62 and uses
thereof will be described more below.
[0044] Returning to FIG. 4, navigation system 34 may comprise one
or more sensors such as a satellite positioning system (e.g., such
as Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and a Global Navigation
Satellite System (GLONASS)), motion sensors (e.g., such as
accelerometers), rotation sensors (e.g., gyroscopes), vehicle wheel
encoders and the like, and/or other inertial measurement unit (IMU)
devices. Navigation system 34 may be configured and/or programmed
with instructions to determine dead reckoning of vehicle 12 and/or
provide dead reckoning data to computer 30--e.g., thereby enabling
computer 30 to determine vehicle dead reckoning. As described
below, dead reckoning and other equivalent systems may be used to
accurately position a vertically downwardly extending axis 63 of
reception coil 25 relative to centroid 56 of charging coil 26 (as
best shown in FIG. 3). According to one non-limiting example, via
computer-control and dead reckoning techniques, a movement of
vehicle 12 (via computer 30) so that axis 63 may be within a 0-5
centimeter (cm) distance of centroid 56 is possible. In this
manner, wireless charge efficiency may be increased--e.g., wherein
efficiency is defined as electrical energy transferred from
charging coil 26 to reception coil 25 per unit time
(kilo-Joule/second).
[0045] Returning to FIG. 4, radar system 36 may comprise an antenna
circuit 64 that comprises at least one antenna 66 adapted to
transmit signals and receive signal returns using an ultra-wide
band (UWB) radio wave frequency. More particularly, radar system
36, via the at least one antenna 66 may be used to facilitate
ground penetrating radar (GPR) (e.g., also referred to as
ground-probing surface penetrating radar (SPR)). Using radar system
36 as a GPR device, computer 30--among other things--may locate
charging coil 26, determine a two- or three-dimensional shape
thereof, and determine corresponding centroid 56.
[0046] Radar system 36 may utilize any suitable non-destructive,
GPR techniques, including but not limited to polarization, dual
polarization, image fusing, noise reduction, clutter suppression,
statistical analysis, synthetic aperture techniques, matched-filter
techniques, and the like. According to one example, antenna circuit
64 uses UWB frequencies in a range of 210 MegaHertz (MHz)-2.5
GigaHertz (GHz). According to at least one example, the operating
frequency of antenna circuit 64 may be constrained within 210-800
MHz. According to at least one example, the operating frequency of
antenna circuit 64 may be 500 MHz. As explained below, in at least
one example, the operating frequency of the antenna circuit 64 may
be tunable so that frequency may be increased as a result of
vehicle 12 moving closer to charging coil 26.
[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates antenna circuit 64 having a single
antenna (antenna 66). This circuit 64 may comprise other circuit
components (not shown)--e.g., including other discrete components
(e.g., capacitors, resistors, switches, etc.), filter circuits,
mixer circuits, and the like. According to one example, antenna 66
may be located in any suitable vehicle location--including
proximate to reception coil 25 (receiver 22--e.g., within two feet
thereof).
[0048] Other antenna circuit examples also exist. For example, as
shown in FIG. 7, an antenna circuit 64' may comprise multiple
antennas 66, 68, 70. In this example, antenna 66 may be located
proximate to coil 25 of receiver 22 (e.g., within two feet),
antenna 68 may be located closer to front end 58, and antenna 70
may be located closer to a rear end 72 of vehicle 12.
[0049] According to another antenna arrangement (see FIG. 8) and by
way of example only, an antenna circuit 64'' may comprise antenna
66 located in a similar location with respect to vehicle 12.
Antennas 68, 74 may be located toward the vehicle's front end 58,
and antennas 70, 76 may be located closer toward the vehicle's rear
end 72. While one antenna (66) is shown nearer the reception coil
25, this is not required. The illustrative arrangements of FIGS.
7-8 may be used to improve resolution, GPR quality, better
re-construct a three-dimensional envelope of the buried charging
coil 26, and the like--e.g., by computer 30 receiving and
processing an increased quantity signal data.
[0050] Returning to FIG. 4, telematics device 38 may be any
suitable telematics computing device configured to wirelessly
communicate with other electronic devices--e.g., including a
charging station 14, mobile devices, and other vehicles. Such
wireless communication via telematics device 38 may include use of
cellular technology (e.g., LTE, GSM, CDMA, and/or other cellular
communication protocols), short range wireless communication
technology (e.g., using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy
(BLE), dedicated short range communication (DSRC), and/or other
short-range wireless communication protocols), or a combination
thereof. Such communication includes so-called vehicle-to-vehicle
(V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications as
well--all of which will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
According to at least one example, short range wireless
communication between vehicle 12 and charging station 14 via
telematics device 38 includes one of: DSRC, a Wi-Fi protocol, a
Wi-Fi Direct protocol, Bluetooth, or BLE.
[0051] Receiver 22 may comprise reception coil 25 and a power
management system 82 which facilitates the delivery of energy to
the vehicle 12. Coil 25 may comprise any suitable arrangement of
conductive wire (e.g., any suitable gauge wire, any suitable number
of turns, any suitable shape or arrangement, etc.). Like charging
coil 26, reception coil 25 may have a centroid 84 and a
corresponding axis 63 (as discussed above; e.g., see FIG. 3).
According to an exemplary arrangement, coil 25 is mounted to a
frame 85 of vehicle 12 and carried on an underside 86 thereof. In
this manner, vehicle 12 may drive over the charging coil 26 and,
based on control by computer 30, locate its coil 25 relative
thereto.
[0052] Returning to FIG. 4, the power management system 82 may
comprise any suitable electronics for converting induced current
through coil 25 into storable energy. According to the illustrated
example, system 82 comprises an AC-DC inverter 88 and a battery 90.
Using techniques known in the art, the inverter 88 receives
alternating current from coil 25 (e.g., induced by alternating
current through coil 26) and converts the alternating current to
direct current--thereby permitting it to be stored in battery
90.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, vehicle 12 also may comprise a sensor
suite 92--e.g., shown coupled to computer 30. Sensor suite 92 may
comprise one or more imaging devices (e.g., such as cameras, laser
ranging and detection devices, etc.), one or more short range
wireless communication nodes (e.g., with receive (RX) and/or
RX/transmit (TX) capability), and the like. These and other sensor
devices may be adapted to facilitate computer-driving in a fully-
or a partially autonomous mode. As explained below, devices of
sensor suite 92 may identify markings on roadway 16 (where they
exist or are not worn off), may identify signage 100 (see FIGS.
1-3) indicating that a charging station 14 is present, or may
receive and/or communicate with one or more communication nodes
102, 104, 106 of charging station 14 (e.g., thereby facilitating
alignment of vehicle 12 within geofence region 62).
[0054] Returning again to FIGS. 3-4, an example of the charging
station 14 is illustrated. Station 14 may comprise a portion of
roadway 16--having one or more communication nodes (e.g., 102-106)
coupled to (or embedded within) roadway 16--and transmitter 24. The
portion of roadway 16 may include the geofence region 62, described
above. In some instances, roadway 16 includes a parking area--e.g.,
a roadside pull-off or parking lot. The nodes are not required;
further, the quantity may vary from implementation to
implementation. In the illustrated example, the nodes 102-106 are
short-range wireless transmitters or transceivers coupled to and
controlled by the transmitter 24. According to at least one
example, the nodes 102-106 are configured to provide wireless
signals to assist sensors onboard vehicle 12 (corresponding nodes
adapted to receive transmissions and assist computer 30 in
identifying a relative distance based on signal strength, angle of
arrival, time of flight, etc.). Thus, in one example, the
communications nodes of suite 92 may be configured to operate
according to one of: DSRC, a Wi-Fi protocol, a Wi-Fi Direct
protocol, Bluetooth, or BLE.
[0055] According to one example (see FIGS. 1-3), a location of node
102 corresponds with an entry boundary 60 (of geofence 62), a
location of node 106 corresponds with an exit boundary 108 of
geofence region 62, and a location of node 104 corresponds with a
central region 110 of geofence region 62. In this manner, using
wireless transmissions from nodes 102-106, computer 30 onboard
vehicle 12 (via its communication nodes of sensor suite 92) may
locate vehicle 12 roughly within geofence region 62 (e.g., locating
coils 25, 26 within a first threshold distance of one another). As
explained below, thereafter, computer 30 may use GPR and dead
reckoning techniques to locate coils 25, 26 relative to one another
within a second threshold distance, wherein the second threshold
distance is smaller than the first threshold distance.
[0056] In at least one example (FIGS. 3-4)--which may be used
alternatively or in combination with the nodes 102-106--roadway 16
comprises one or more pressure sensors 112, 114 as well--e.g.,
embedded within an upper surface 116 of roadway 16 so that when a
threshold force is exerted upon the sensors 112, 114 (e.g.,
corresponding to an identifiable weight of a roadway vehicle), then
sensors 112, 114 provide an indication to transmitter 24 that a
vehicle is within the geofence region 62. Still other examples
exist.
[0057] As best shown in FIG. 4, transmitter 24 may comprise coil
26, a power source 120, a controller 122, and a telematics device
124 having an independent antenna and also being coupled to the one
or more communication nodes (e.g., 102-106). Charging coil 26 may
be similar or identical to reception coil 25; therefore, features
and characteristics thereof will not be re-described here. Coil 26
is embedded within the roadway 16--as used herein, embedded means
entirely below surface 116 or at least partially below surface 116.
For example, coil 26 may be located 0.1-1.0 meters below surface
116.
[0058] Power source 120 may be any electronic device for providing
power to drive the charging coil 26. For example, source 120 may
provide alternating current through coil 26 at any suitable current
and voltage. Further, source 120 selectively may be actuated by
controller 122.
[0059] Controller 122 may be any suitable computer or computing
device having a processor (not shown) and memory (not shown). For
example, controller 122 may be programmed with executable
instructions to: selectively control actuation of the coil 26 based
on determining a vehicle is within the geofence region 62--e.g.,
using sensor data from nodes 102-106 and/or from sensors 112, 114;
control the amount of transmitted power from coil 26; communicate
with vehicles (such as vehicle 12) via telematics device 124 (which
may be the similar or identical to device 38--thus, it will not be
re-described herein); and execute other suitable instructions. As
explained more below, vehicle 12 may align its reception coil 25
with charging coil 26 even when the power to coil 26 is in an
inactive state--e.g., using ground penetrating sensing techniques.
In this manner, energy is conserved, as coil 26 need not be live or
operational in order for computer 30 to align coil 25 with coil 26.
Accordingly, and as explained below, once computer 30 communicates
(using telematics device 38) to telematics device 124 (of charging
station 14) that the coils 25, 26 are adequately aligned,
controller 122 may change charging coil 26 from the inactive state
to an active state and commence wireless charge transfer.
[0060] Now turning to FIG. 9, a process 900 of wirelessly charging
vehicle 12 via charging station 14 is illustrated--i.e., a process
of aligning coils 25, 26 and also charging battery 90 via reception
coil 25. The process comprises a plurality of instructions
described below as logic blocks. The process may begin with block
905 wherein charging station 14 is identified. According to at
least one example, vehicle 12 is operating in a fully autonomous
mode (e.g., level 5). In these such examples, computer 30 may
identify the charging station 14 in a variety of ways--e.g.,
including but not limited to: receiving (via sensor suite 92) image
data and using the data, identifying visual indicia such as signage
100 or roadway markings; recalling from memory 44 a stored geotag
associated with the charging station 14 and, using navigation
system 34, determining that vehicle 12 is approaching the station
14; and/or receiving a wireless message indicating its
proximity--e.g., from station 14, from another vehicle via V2V,
from a remote server, or the like.
[0061] When a human is at least partially operating vehicle 12
(e.g., according to autonomous levels 0-4), then the HMI device 32
may display information regarding the proximity of the charging
station 14. For example, computer 30 may determine a charge level
of battery 90, and when the charge level is less than a threshold,
computer 30 may cause HMI device 32 to provide a notification to
the driver that it is approaching charging station 14.
[0062] In block 910 which follows, computer 30 may communicate
wirelessly with charging station 14--e.g., telematics device 38 to
telematics device 124. According to one example, computer 30 may
obtain position information (e.g., GPS coordinate data or the
like). In some examples, block 910 may be skipped as this
information may be acquired during block 905 (or e.g., a human
driver may determine the position information using line-of-sight,
signage, etc.).
[0063] In block 915, the vehicle 12 is moved toward the charging
station 14--and more particularly, in at least one example, toward
geofence region 62. In the fully autonomous mode, computer 30 may
drive autonomously toward and at least partially into the geofence
region 62. According to one example, this may be accomplished using
GPS coordinate data. In another example, vehicle 12 may drive
within a threshold distance of above-ground signage 100 (e.g.,
within 5-20 feet).
[0064] Other examples are also possible--e.g., including a human
driver operating the vehicle toward the geofence region 62. In at
least one example, HMI device 32 may display information regarding
the charging station 14 in a split-screen mode--as discussed above
(and shown in FIG. 5). Further, when the vehicle enters or crosses
boundary 60 of the geofence region 62, the HMI device 32 may be
configured or programmed to switch to a full-screen mode (FIG.
6).
[0065] Process 900 can be executed with or without visual indicia
and/or with or without visual alignment indicia. Thus, for purposes
of illustration only, process 900 will be described in the context
of a charging station without any roadway markings or other
indicators of where vehicle 12 should be parked or located to
receive a wireless charge. In other illustrative examples, the
roadway 16 could have markings and indicia; however, the indicia
may be covered with dirt, debris, snow, ice, leaves, etc. and/or
the markings could be faded or worn appreciably so that sensor
suite 92 onboard vehicle 12 may not be able to identify them.
[0066] In block 920 which follows, computer 30 may determine
whether the vehicle 12 is within the geofence region 62. For
example, charging station 14 may activate communication nodes
102-106 which may provide a relative indication of position to
vehicle 12. For instance, computer 30 (via communication nodes of
sensor suite 92) may determine whether vehicle 12 is positioned
between nodes 102 and 106 using known position-measuring techniques
such as received signal strength (e.g., RSSI), angle of arrival,
time of flight, etc. Alternatively, or in combination therewith,
computer 30 may receive an indication of vehicle position based on
controller 122 measuring pressure sensor data using sensors 112,
114. These of course are merely examples and other techniques for
positioning vehicle 12 within the geofence region 62 are also
possible. When computer 30 determines that vehicle 12 is not within
the region 62, then process 900 may loop back to block 910 and also
repeat blocks 915 and 920. When computer 30 determines that vehicle
12 is within region 62 (or a threshold portion of vehicle 12 is
within region 62), then process 900 may proceed to block 925.
[0067] In block 925, computer 30 may actuate the radar system 36.
More particularly, computer 30 may control the antenna circuit
64--e.g., including direction, amplification, resolution, etc. As
described above, radar system 36 may be configured to execute
ground penetrating radar (GPR); thus, system 36 may provide GPR
data to computer 30. This GPR data may be post-processed (e.g.,
transformed into localization-like data or the like), or it may be
raw data permitting computer 30 to execute post-processing.
[0068] Other examples of block 925 exist as well. For example,
radar system 36 could be actuated earlier--e.g., at or shortly
after the charging station is identified (e.g., in block 905). In
one example, a frequency of the radar signals is increased as
vehicle 12 approaches the charging coil 26 or based on a threshold
proximity thereto. Using lower frequencies (e.g., 210 MHz) when the
vehicle 12 is farther from the charging coil 26 may improve ground
penetration and range. And increasing the frequency (e.g., to 500
MHz) as the vehicle 12 gets closer to the charging coil 26 may
provide greater resolution--e.g., and the faster attenuation rates
may not impact ranging, as the vehicle 12 is sufficiently close to
the target (e.g., coil 26).
[0069] In block 930, computer 30--using the GPR data--may determine
the shape and centroid 56 of the charging coil 26 (of transmitter
24). For example, the GPR data may be used to formulate a two- or
three-dimensional model, and using the model, the centroid may be
calculated by computer 30.
[0070] It should be appreciated that the charging coil 26 may be in
the inactive state--i.e., minimal to no current moving through the
coil 26 while computer 30 is aligning the coil 25 to coil 26.
[0071] In block 935, computer 30 may determine the relative
location of the centroid 56 with respect to reception coil 25 (of
receiver 22). Block 935 may include determining a heading (or
direction) and distance between axis 63 and centroid 56.
[0072] In block 940 which follows, computer 30 may compare the
determination of block 935 to a threshold. According to one
non-limiting example, computer 30 may determine whether a distance
(between axis 63 and centroid 56) calculated in block 935 is less
than or equal to a radius a (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10).
[0073] For example, FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary coil 25 (of
receiver 22) having axes x' and y' that correspond with a
longitudinal axis x and a transverse axis y (of vehicle 12)--i.e.,
axis x is parallel to axis x', and axis y is parallel to axis y'.
This orientation is for purposes of explanation only. Axes x'-y'
may have a corresponding vertical axis as well--e.g., namely, axis
63 that may pass through centroid 84 of reception coil 25. FIG. 10
also illustrates radius .alpha. extending from an origin of axes
x', y', 63. According to one example, radius .alpha. is a maximum
threshold distance between axis 63 and centroid 56 (of charging
coil 26)--e.g., to maximize charging rate efficiency (e.g., achieve
90-95% efficiency). Thus, as explained below, computer 30 and/or
navigation system 34--using dead reckoning data--may control
vehicle movement to move coils 25, 26 within threshold radius
.alpha.. According to one example, radius .alpha. may be 5 cm;
however, other values may be used instead.
[0074] Thus, in block 940, when the distance between axis 63 and
centroid 56 is less than or equal to the threshold (e.g., radius
.alpha.), then process 900 may proceed to block 950. And when the
distance between axis 63 and centroid 56 is greater than the
threshold (e.g., greater than radius .alpha.), then process 900 may
proceed to block 945.
[0075] In block 945, computer 30 may utilize dead reckoning
instructions to move vehicle 12 so that coils 25, 26 more closely
align when the coil is recognized by radar. In fully-autonomous
implementations, computer 30 may do this without user interaction.
When a driver is exercising some control over vehicle 12, then the
driver handover may be desirable. This may be accomplished by the
driver providing input to computer 30 (e.g., via HMI device 32 or
some other controls)--e.g., indicating that computer 30 may
exercise control over vehicle 12 acceleration, braking, and
steering. Regardless, computer 30 ultimately may control vehicle 12
according to a dead reckoning mode and incrementally move vehicle
12 so that coils 25, 26 approach alignment.
[0076] Following block 945, process 900 may loop back and
re-determine block 940. Looping between blocks 940 and 945 may be
recursive until the threshold of block 940 is satisfied.
[0077] According to one example of block 950, computer 30 may
instruct the powertrain system of vehicle 12 to place the
transmission in a PARK mode. Thereafter, computer 30 may
communicate a readiness message to charging station 14 (e.g., via
telematics device 38)--e.g., indicating that wireless charging may
proceed.
[0078] In block 955 which follows, a wireless charge may be
received at reception coil 25. More particularly, controller 122
may actuate a switch, connection, or the like between the power
source 120 and coil 26--e.g., thereby generating flux and inducing
current in coil 25. Based on the proximity of coil 26 to coil 25,
wireless electric charge can be transferred. And based on proximity
within a threshold (block 940), the charge may be more
expeditiously carried out.
[0079] In block 960, computer 30 may monitor the charge of battery
90. When battery 90 reaches a threshold level of charge, computer
30 may determine to terminate wireless charging (proceeding to
block 965). In other examples, additional charging may be required
before the threshold level of charge is reached, and process 900
may loop back to block 955 and repeat. The threshold level of
charge may be 100% or less. In some examples, it may include
charging the battery 90 to a predetermined voltage level or the
like.
[0080] In block 965, computer 30 may transmit, to transmitter 24, a
wireless message to terminate charge transfer. In this manner,
energy can be conserved at the charging station 14. In response,
controller 122 may cease transmission of wireless charge. Of
course, in block 965, computer 30 (or a human driver) could simply
drive away from the charging station 14, and controller 122--using
data from nodes 102-106 and/or sensors 112, 114--could determine
the departure of vehicle 12 and terminate the wireless charge
transfer. Following block 965, the process may end.
[0081] Process 900 could include other instructions as well. For
example, having identified a location of charging station 14,
computer 30 could store in memory 44 location data (e.g., a geotag)
of the station 14 for future charging (e.g., if not already
stored). For instance, when vehicle 12 is approaching the charging
station 14 in the future (and in need of a charge), computer 30 may
trigger stopping the vehicle 12 for a wireless charge based on a
threshold proximity to the location. Or for example, a
notification--as discussed above--could be presented to a human
driver based on the threshold proximity.
[0082] In other examples, dead reckoning may not be used. For
example, a human driver may use the single-screen mode (e.g., as
shown in FIG. 6) to manually align vehicle 12 with charging coil
26. For example, the user may receive real-time positioning
information regarding its coil 25 relative to the centroid 56 of
coil 26.
[0083] According to at least one example, an autonomous part assist
mode could be used to fix parking alignment. For example, a user
may get the vehicle receiver partially over the coil, and then the
vehicle may correct the positioning. In at least one example, once
coils 25, 26 are adequately aligned, a human operator may provide
an input to HMI device 32. Computer 30 may receive an indication of
the input from HMI device 32 and, in response, permit wireless
charging and/or provide a message to controller 122 to actuate the
coil 26--e.g., a switch-actuation by a user of vehicle 12.
[0084] The description above discusses ways in which vehicle 12 may
autonomously determine charging stations, autonomously align
vehicle 12 with the charging coils, etc. According to at least one
example, computer 30 may receive an indication that a user has
manually turned on the wireless charging alignment mode via
physical/software button.
[0085] Thus, there has been described a wireless charging system
for a vehicle. The system can include a vehicle having an alignment
system that includes a computer and a radio detection and ranging
device to align the vehicle with an underground charging coil. Once
aligned, the vehicle may receive a wireless charge.
[0086] In general, the computing systems and/or devices described
may employ any of a number of computer operating systems,
including, but by no means limited to, versions and/or varieties of
the Ford SYNC.RTM. application, AppLink/Smart Device Link
middleware, the Microsoft.RTM. Automotive operating system, the
Microsoft Windows.RTM. operating system, the Unix operating system
(e.g., the Solaris.RTM. operating system distributed by Oracle
Corporation of Redwood Shores, Calif.), the AIX UNIX operating
system distributed by International Business Machines of Armonk,
N.Y., the Linux operating system, the Mac OSX and iOS operating
systems distributed by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., the
BlackBerry OS distributed by Blackberry, Ltd. of Waterloo, Canada,
and the Android operating system developed by Google, Inc. and the
Open Handset Alliance, or the QNX.RTM. CAR Platform for
Infotainment offered by QNX Software Systems. Examples of computing
devices include, without limitation, an on-board vehicle computer,
a computer workstation, a server, a desktop, notebook, laptop, or
handheld computer, or some other computing system and/or
device.
[0087] Computing devices generally include computer-executable
instructions, where the instructions may be executable by one or
more computing devices such as those listed above.
Computer-executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted
from computer programs created using a variety of programming
languages and/or technologies, including, without limitation, and
either alone or in combination, Java.TM., C, C++, Visual Basic,
Java Script, Perl, etc. Some of these applications may be compiled
and executed on a virtual machine, such as the Java Virtual
Machine, the Dalvik virtual machine, or the like. In general, a
processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g.,
from a memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes these
instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including
one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions
and other data may be stored and transmitted using a variety of
computer-readable media.
[0088] A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a
processor-readable medium) includes any non-transitory (e.g.,
tangible) medium that participates in providing data (e.g.,
instructions) that may be read by a computer (e.g., by a processor
of a computer). Such a medium may take many forms, including, but
not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile
media may include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other
persistent memory. Volatile media may include, for example, dynamic
random-access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes a main
memory. Such instructions may be transmitted by one or more
transmission media, including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber
optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to a
processor of a computer. Common forms of computer-readable media
include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,
magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other
optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium
with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM,
any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which
a computer can read.
[0089] Databases, data repositories or other data stores described
herein may include various kinds of mechanisms for storing,
accessing, and retrieving various kinds of data, including a
hierarchical database, a set of files in a file system, an
application database in a proprietary format, a relational database
management system (RDBMS), etc. Each such data store is generally
included within a computing device employing a computer operating
system such as one of those mentioned above, and are accessed via a
network in any one or more of a variety of manners. A file system
may be accessible from a computer operating system, and may include
files stored in various formats. An RDBMS generally employs the
Structured Query Language (SQL) in addition to a language for
creating, storing, editing, and executing stored procedures, such
as the PL/SQL language mentioned above.
[0090] In some examples, system elements may be implemented as
computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more
computing devices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.), stored
on computer readable media associated therewith (e.g., disks,
memories, etc.). A computer program product may comprise such
instructions stored on computer readable media for carrying out the
functions described herein.
[0091] The processor is implemented via circuits, chips, or other
electronic component and may include one or more microcontrollers,
one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more
application specific circuits ASICs), one or more digital signal
processors (DSPs), one or more customer integrated circuits, etc.
The processor may be programmed to process the sensor data.
Processing the data may include processing the video feed or other
data stream captured by the sensors to determine the roadway lane
of the host vehicle and the presence of any target vehicles. As
described below, the processor instructs vehicle components to
actuate in accordance with the sensor data. The processor may be
incorporated into a controller, e.g., an autonomous mode
controller.
[0092] The memory (or data storage device) is implemented via
circuits, chips or other electronic components and can include one
or more of read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM),
flash memory, electrically programmable memory (EPROM),
electrically programmable and erasable memory (EEPROM), embedded
MultiMediaCard (eMMC), a hard drive, or any volatile or
non-volatile media etc. The memory may store data collected from
sensors.
[0093] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present
disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the
disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described.
* * * * *